A media aide at the Presidential Villa, Peter Onwubuariri, who served under three successive Nigerian presidents, has died at the age of 48 after a prolonged illness.
Onwubuariri, an Assistant Director, Media, at the State House and a veteran journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), died on Monday in Kano, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
His career at the Presidential Villa began in 2014 when he was posted there from NAN, placing him at the centre of presidential media operations through the administrations of Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu.
Before his Villa posting, Onwubuariri had served as NAN’s North American correspondent and later rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Editor-in-Chief, contributing to the agency’s editorial and journalistic operations.
At the State House, he covered a wide range of national and international assignments, including politics, foreign affairs, telecommunications and finance, while working with the media teams of successive administrations.
His wife, Catherine Ezinna Onwubuariri, confirmed his death, saying he had spent about a month receiving treatment at the Kano Cancer Hospital under a treatment authorisation from the Kano State Government.
Following his death, his remains were released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday for burial in Owerri, Imo State.
The corpse was handed over to Oche Egwa, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, State House, on behalf of Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The handover at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital was conducted by Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.
President Bola Tinubu has since expressed sadness over the death, describing the late journalist’s passing as a painful loss to the Presidency, NAN, the media community and Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Onanuga, Tinubu commended Onwubuariri for his professionalism, dedication and commitment to public service throughout his career.
“Peter was a dedicated journalist and a committed public servant whose professionalism and calm disposition earned him the respect of his colleagues and associates,” the President said.
Tinubu said Onwubuariri’s years of service under three administrations reflected his competence, integrity and commitment to duty.
The President extended his condolences to the deceased’s wife, three children, extended family, colleagues and friends, while praying that God would give the family the strength to bear the loss and grant the deceased eternal rest.
